Rob Casey's Blog, page 5

How to Pack a SUP for Overnight Trips

Packing a SUP for an overnight trip can be tricky if you're on a 11-6 to 14' long board.  If you're in non tropical climate packing enough warm clothes, sleeping bag and tent can be a problem.  But smart choices and clever packing will allow for more things to fit on your board.
5 Tips for Packing a SUP for an Overnight Trip..

- If your board doesn't have leash plugs on the deck to attaching ropes/bags to, add some using plugs by NSI (spectral loops) or Seattle Sports.  Usually 4-6 plugs will do on the nose in front of where you stand.  Give more than 24hrs to cure before attaching rope/bungy. I've rushed it and have had them pull off prior to curing. Or find install your own leash plugs (or hire someone).

- Use cargo netting from a fabric store (rope not bungy) instead of the stock X crossed bungy that comes on most boards. The X shape isn't enough to secure most items down. I've seen a few students lose water bottles from that arrangement.  Kayaking deck bags are also a great solution. Some are waterproof and others like Seattle Sport's Parabolic Deck Bag are shaped to allow for water to pass by without too much drag.
- Pack with minimalism in mind.  Small down sleeping bag vs big synthetic bag.  Tarp and/or bivy instead of a tent. One pair of camp clothes with packable coat.  Pack food and misc small gear into pots to save space. Pack dry items in dry bags then all into a waterproof duffle bag.
- Gather what you need and pack into dry bags.  Then decide what you can do without.  Pack again then remove again till you have the absolute basics.  Carrying too much also means paddling a heavy slow board.
- Do a test run also called a shake down trip before your trip to make sure you gear isn't too heavy to paddle, won't shift in wind and waves or will be a weather cocking (wind shear) issue.  Can you right after a capsize?  How far/fast can you paddle with 35 lbs of gear on your nose?
Safety - Always wear your PFD and leash on open water and in remote areas.
Watch my video on How to Pack a SUP for SUP Magazine, here.
Who's doing overnight SUP tours?- I offer 1-2 night guided tours on Puget Sound in Washington State. Click here for more info.
- in British Columbia, Norm Hann Expeditions. 
Freshwater Bay, WA


Any questions give me a holler: salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com / 206.465.7167 Check out our  SUP classes in Seattle - Beginning to advanced instruction including freighter and tug wave surfing, coastal surfing, rivers and racing, plus PSUPA Certification.

High Winter Daytime Tides of 2017

Tis the season for big daytime high tides and a few King Tides, the highest tides of the year on Puget Sound.  The image below was from November 2016, about a 12.5' high tide.  King Tides usually go to or above 13' heights creating problems for low bank housing, docks and marinas.  Seattle area tides have a smaller range than those of the South Puget Sound. Whereas the Strait of Juan de Fuca and outer coast have ever smaller ranges than Seattle.  
Notable daytime high tides in 2017..1/2-4 - 12.5'1/13-15 - 12.9'
In contrast, in Spring and Summer leading up to and just after summer solstice we'll get into big tidal exchanges going from a -3.6 on 6/25 at noon to a 12.4' high that same day at 7:49pm. Pretty cool and fun to watch the change. Get out there and explore the low tide beaches and note how every ridge or depression effect incoming tidal flow and/or waves.  
Follow tides using the resources listed on the following post from earlier this week.  Click here to view


12.5 high tide in Seattle, Nov 2016



Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167
Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

Kayaking the San Juans - My Story in Kenmore Air Magazine..

Last Spring I was asked to write a piece for Kenmore Air Magazine on kayaking in the San Juan Islands. I also contributed all the photos to story as well, a perfect mix of my favorite skills. Check it out to learn about where and when to paddle the islands.

Click here for a link to the story 







Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167
Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

8 Tips for 2017 Paddle Trip Planning

Tis the season to recycle the 2016 tide and current charts and bring on the New Year of explorations and possibilities!  I've been working for over a week planning out my 2017 classes and tours which is quite a project with surf camps on the coast, surfing classes on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, tidal rapids classes in Deception Pass and freighter wave classes in Seattle, plus a few tours on the Strait and elsewhere.  My dyslexia pops up occasionally when I find non matching data between my website, Google Calendar and social media marketing. And it's always tricky when like region tide tables don't match - even being 1-2 hours off from another guide.  This is common on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

These are the guides I use..
Pre-season prep for Salmonbaypaddle.com
Captn' Jacks Tide and Current Almanac - Spiral bound guide perfect for figuring out current and tides for Deception Pass and coastal regions. I find it easier to use the book than using online option. I have two of the books, one in the office and one in the car.

Evergreen Pacific 2017 Seattle and Port Townsend Tide Graph Calendars - This one goes on the wall as my main print calendar. As friends know,  my daily schedule is based around tides which are beneficial to my favorite types of paddling, freighter wave surfing and downwinding in Seattle.

Online..

Mobile Graphics has a nice online site for tidal current predictions.

NOAA Tide Table Mobile App - Easy to read tides on my phone.

WindAlert - to check real time wind speed (and forecasts). I use the free version, kite surfer buddies have the paid version for more detail in kite surf spots.

Surfwater - PNW based surf app for local wind, surf (size, period and direction) and tide real time data and prediction (free).

NOAA West Point Lighthouse Station - My backyard per se - I use daily for air pressure, wind speed and direction, air temp (14F wind chill today), water temp. The Marine Forecast (clickable at top) is 95% correct for surf and inland waterway predictions.  Marine Forecast  Search your local spot.

In Person Water Check..
If the above doesn't work for you then use a in-person check of your beach. That's always my tool for final confirmation on whether to run a class or not, or whether to go - is it flat or too big?


Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167
Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

Winter Paddling Culture on Shilshole Bay

For many of us 'die-hards' we don't stop paddling when the temp dips below 50F.  Below, the snow covered Elks Beach in Ballard was before our first annual New Year's Day race. Temp at the time was around 32F. Many of our racers jumped in after the grueling 5 mile race around West Point in high wind. As I always tell my students, if you dress smart, paddling keeps you warm, thus winter is just another paddling season.  
The race raised $300 for the Ballard Elks Building Fund. 
See more photos from our New Year Day race from my Salmon Bay Paddle blog and from photographer Jasmine's page.  

Ballard Elks Pledge or Plunge event, 32F
Before our New Year's 2017 race on Elks Beach, 32F

Kayaking / Paddling Squaxin Island and South Puget Sound Trip #5

When I first paddled South Puget Sound we came across an island that had to development and a seemingly virgin forest. Immediately, I wondered what Puget Sound looked like to the first explorers to the  region in the late 1700's - or to the natives prior to white contact. Squaxin Island, which is Trip #5 in the book was that island. A Squaxin indian reservation, landing isn't allowed but exploring by water is ok and worth the trip. 


Camp at nearby Hope Island (south) which can be accessed via Boston Harbor, Harstein Island and points west such as Shelton. Watch out for rips on the south side of the island and boat traffic in summer. 

Craig Haelson paddling around the south side of Squaxin



Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167
Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

Gunkholing the Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands - The Book Series

My favorite guides for exploring Puget Sound and the San Juans (aside from my own) are the out of print Gunkholing series by Jo Bailey and Carl Nyberg. And I have to admit, Gunkholing is my favorite words aside from clapotis.  
Each have detailed info on everything you'll see while cruising (or paddling) in each of those areas, from navigational info, charts, hazards, interesting locals, natural history, marine life, city/towns to interesting sights. Much of the info doesn't date, so the books remain timeless as your travelling guide.  
What is Gunkholing? "Cruising in sheltered waters and anchoring every night." (from the books)
The book series includes - Gunkholing in.. South Puget Sound, the San Juans, the Gulf Islands and an older version I came across says.. the Salish Sea.  You'll come across several versions as most looks like were self published.  
The guides can be found on Amazon, at Powell's Books in Portland and SeaOcean Books in Seattle.  Amazon has a few for $99 while the SeaOcean copies were pretty beat up and cheap (last time I was there). I usually pick up a few when I find them as they're great gifts for paddling and mariners alike. 
My next favorite but also out of print guides are Marge and Ted Mueller's Afoot and Afloot series by Mountaineers Books. There's several of these still on book store shelves as new.  






Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org
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The Salish Sea isn't just for exploring and poking around...

The Salish Sea isn't just for exploring and poking around, throughout the year there's many competitions in amazing locations. Over a decade ago the Deception Pass Dash, an epic race through tidal rapids began with 175 all craft paddlers. The local outrigger canoeists have an Orca Series that runs throughout the year from  La Connor's Swinhomish Channel to Seattle's Ship Canal, usually 6 mile races open to all. 
I started putting on Monday evening sup races 5 years ago on Seattle's Shilshole Bay to benefit a scholarship fund at the Ballard Elks. Now we welcome all paddlers but it's usually SUPs given my business focus and connections in that area.  
On January 1st, 2017 I'm putting on our first annual New Year's Day Paddling Race also on Shilshole Bay at the Elks Lodge (many of us are members).  Open to all paddlers, it's a super fun race with two courses, a 5m and a 1.5m (depending on conditions).  We'll cool off with the Elks for their annual NY Day Plunge at 1pm.  Read More or check out the Facebook Event Page Volunteers and safety boats welcome. 
5 mile course
Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

Follow Shane Donogh's River SUP Adventures

Not Salish Sea, but close.. Shane Donogh of Experience SUP in Duvall, WA has been exploring every creek, drainage ditch, river and any other flowing section of water throughout Western WA on his inflatable SUPs. Here's he's actually on-water exploring farm areas near his home. Last week he paddled 40 miles in one day from Fall City to Monoe on the Snoqualmie River.
Check out ExperienceSUP, he offers SUP river instruction and tours (PSUPA certified)
And find him on Facebook to follow his weekly adventures.  












Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167
Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

Exploring Freshwater Bay on the Olympic Peninsula - Trips 40 & 41

I was first introduced to Freshwater Bay in my early kayak days via the WA Kayak Club while on day trips and a few rock gardening classes with Deb Volturno and George Gronseth.  From day 1, I knew this was a place I'd be going back to often.  Now I lead SUP tours there mostly in summer months.
A 3 hour drive from Seattle and just past Port Angeles, FWB as we call it for short, has good conditions 99% of the time. The boat ramp put-in is in boating terms, a good gunk hole, meaning it's very protected from most wind and swell. A sandy bottom and shallow for some time, makes it a great launch for paddlers. We generally prefer to launch adjacent to the busy boat ramp on the beach.  
Routes:If a wild weather or mellow day, you can have plenty of fun exploring the interior of the bay by the boat ramp, with it's tide pools and rock formations on the west side of the bay to the erratic boulder right of the boat ramp. You can also head east into FWB and in a few miles you'll hit the Elwha River mouth (watch for surf).  In summer there's a one mile long kelp bed in the bay. Usually quiet from other paddlers and don't expect to see anyone on the beach.  
For experienced paddlers, take a left at Observatory Point and Bachelor Rock (seastack below) threading yourself through the reef (SUPs-recommend kneeling). Or go round the rock.  Swell does get in there and on an ebb the currents can rip strongly around the rock. Follow the coastline for one mile or the 6 miles to Salt Creek Rec Area. Explore the pocket beaches, amazing rock formations, caves, arches and abundant sea life below you.  There's a stinky seal rookery about 3 miles west and Hidden Cove, another gunk hole about 2 miles from Salt Creek.  
Alternatively, you can launch form Salt Creek, go over or around Tongue Point and start your journey from the west, going east.  
Avoid if you can't handle waves, swell, high wind or don't have endurance for strong current. It can be glassy calm or gnarly.  The water is cold most of the year do dress for immersion. SUPs, I recommend a rubber fin to avoid getting stuck in the extensive kelp beds and to better explore the rock shoreline.  Also a helmet for kayakers, not much fun to capsize in shallow reefs. 
The section can be cold too as the sun rarely gets over he big cliffs aside from in summer.  
Read more in my book, Trips 40 & 41